Electric connecter



July 26,1927, 1,637,059

A. H. SIMMONS ELECTRIC GONNECTER Filed March 25, 1924 f Inventor:

ALbertH. Simmon$, I

Patented July 26, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFic-E.

V ALBERT H. SIIIIOITS, OF OAK PARK, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO EDISON ELECTRIC A]?- PLIANCE COMPANY, INCOBIORATED, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATIOII OF NEW YORK.

ELECTRIC CONNEGTEB.

Application filed March 25, 1924. Serial iNo. 701,850.

My invention relates to electric connecters, and has for its object the provision of a simple and reliable connecter which may be manufactured and assembled at relative- 1y low cost.

More specifically, my invention relates to detachable plug connecters such as are used on electric appliances, although my invention may also be used in connecters providing a more or less permanent connection. In carrying out my invention, I provide an improved arrangementof the various parts such that the metallic parts can be easily and quickly made by stamping them from sheet metal, and the various parts quickly assembled.

For a more complete understanding of my invention, reference should be had to the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an electrical connecter embodying my invention, Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view, while Fig. 3 is an exploded view illustrating various parts and the method of assembling.

Referring to the drawing, I have shown my invention in one form as applied to electric connectors of. the quickly detachable type such as used on electric toasters, fiat irons and other electric appliances. My inventionis not limited, however, to this type of connector. The connecter comprises two cooperating insulating members 10 and 11 which are similar in construction and are provided with recesses for securing contact members 12 and 13. These insulating members may be molded or otherwise formed of a suitable insulating material. As shown, the member 10 is provided with a recess 14 which cooperates with a recess 15 in the memberv 11 when the two are placed togather, so as to form aspace in which the contact member 13 is held. In asimilar manner, contact member 12 is secured in a space formed by a recess 16 in member 10 and a recess 17 in member 11. It will be understood that the contact members 12 and 13 are secured in their respective spaces by the securing of the members 10 and 11 together. Leading from the recesses 14 and 15, respectively, are grooves 18 and 19, which cooperate to form an aperture for an electrical conductor 20 which is electricall connected to contact member 13, while lead ing from recesses 16 and 17 are similar grooves 21 and 22 which cooperate to form an aperture for an electrical conductor 23 which is electrically connected to contact member 12. The contact members may be of any suitable form adapted to form an electrical connection with contact pins or studs on the appliance or device with which an electrical connection is to be made The conductors 20' and 23 may be secured to the contact membersby means of screws 24 or other means for forming a suitable contact.

The-conductors 20 and 23 are wrapped one or more turns around a cross-bar 25 made ofsuitable insulating material, such as hard wood, bakelite or other composition. This cross-bar extendstransversely of thermombars 10 and 11 and is secured adjacent to the ends of the members by means of two oppositely disposed metallic clamping plates 26 and 27 which fit in slight recesses 26 and 27 on the outer sides of the insulating members 10 and 11,the recesses being of such depth that the plates are flush with the members. Preferably, the ends ofthe members 10 and 11, with which the crossbar 25 is. in engagement, are grooved, as shown in the'drawing, so as to form an approximately half round groove in which the cross-bar is seated. Central slots or notches 28 and 29 are formed in the ends of the members 10 and 11 adjacent the crossbar, to provide space for the turns of the conductors 20 and 23, which are wrapped around the cross-bar. As shown, the cross bar may be and is shown as provided with a. slightly enlarged central portion 30, which fits in the space formed by slots 28 and 29, thereby tending to secure the cross-bar against movement in an endwise direction. This nlarged portion is not indispensable, howeger, since plates 26 and 27 perform the same function.

The conductors 20 and 23 lead out through and fits over the turns of the conductors 20 and 23 wrapped around the cross bar. It is provided with a centrally located tubularneck 33, inlwhich the spring 31 is, inserted for a short distance and secured by expanding one or more of the end turns 34. The

member 32 is also provided with laterally extending, oppositely disposed, semi-cylindrical bearing projections 35 and 36 which fit on and rotatably engage with the crossbar 25.

The two clamping plates 26 and 27 are similar in construction and are each provided with a portion 37 which is struck outward in the form of a segment of a sphere. These spherical portions 37 engage on opposite sides with the spherical portion of the member 32, the two plates 26 and 27 being also shaped to provide an enlarged aperture 38 for the neck 33 of member 32,

wherebythe member 32 is free to move on its bearings 35 an'd'3'6 through asmall angle. Oppositely disposed cylindrical clamping portions 39 and 40 are provided on each side of the plates 26 and 27. These portions 39 and- 40 fit over the bearing projections 35 and 36 of member 32. A substantially ball and socket joint is thus formed between member 32 and the insulating members 10 and 11, although angular movement is limited to one axis only, that is, the axis of crossbar 25. The two clamping plates 26 and 27 are in abutting relation at each side of member 32, so as to form substantial joints 41 and 42. As shown, the various parts of the connecter are held together by means of two bolts 43 and 44. The belt 43 passes throu h the insulating members 10 and 11 and a so through the plates 26 and 27, while the bolt 44 passes through the members 10 and 11 only. Preferably the cross-bar 25 is pro v'ided at its ends with knobs 45 and 46 which fied by the construction of the apertures 50 and 51 for the clamping bolts enlarged to receive the extension of nut 47 may be grasped to facilitatetheapplication and removal of the connecter.

It will thus be observed that the plug is constructed of parts which are very simple and economical to manufacture. The metallic parts are simple stampings. Also, the assembly of the connecter is greatly simpliarts. The parts may be assembled on a suitalble support and then secured together by driving in the bolts 43 and 44 with an automatic screw driver. In accordance with this method, the nuts 47 and 48 (Fig. 3) for the bolts 43 and 44 are placed on a suitable support in the proper spaced relation. The nut 47 is preferably provided with a cylindrical extension 49 which projects through the aperture in the plate 27 which is next placed over the nut 47. An insulating member 11 is then placed on the plate member, the insulating member having the outer portions of the and nut 48. The next step is to place the spring guard 31, supporting member 32, cross-bar 25, the conductors 20 and 23 and the contacts 12 and 13, properly assembled tpgether, in the correct positions with relation, to the insulating member 11. As thus far assembled, the connecter is shown in Fig. 2. To complete the assembly the remaining insulating member 10 and plate 26 are laid in place, and the bolts 43 and 44 inserted in the holes provided for them and driven into the nuts 47 and 48 to clamp the parts tightly together.

While I have described my invention as embodied in concrete form and as operating in a specific manner in accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, it should be understood that I do not limit my invention thereto, since various modifications thereof will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of my invention, the scopeof which is set forth in the annexed claims.

What I claimas new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. An electric connecter comprising cooperating insulating members, contacts secured between said insulating members, a cylindrical cross bar, conductors connected to said contacts and wrapped around said cross bar, flexible supporting means for said conductors pivotally engaging said cross bar,

and plates securing said cross bar and supwrapped around said cross bar, a coiled spring support for said conductors,a supporting member for said spring seated on said cross bar so as to be pivoted thereon, and plates securing said supporting member and said cross bar in a definite relation with said insulating member while providing for limited angular movement of said supporting member on said cross bar.

3. An electric connecter comprising a pair of cooperating insulating members providedwith recesses, contacts secured in sald recess, a cylindrical cross bar made of insulating material, conductors connected to said contacts and wrapped around said cross bar, a coiled spring support for said conductors, a supporting member for said spring, projections on said supporting member ttmg on said cross bar whereby said supporting member is pivoted on said cross bar, and plates securing said cross bar and supporting memher in a predetermined relation with said insulating members.

4. An electric connecter comprising a pair of insulating members provided with matched recesses, contacts secured in said recesses, a cylindrical cross bar, conductors connected to said contacts wrapped around said bar, supporting means for said conductors pivotally bearing on said bar, said supporting means being provided with an enlarged portion fitting overthe turns of said conductors wrapped around said bar and means for securing said cross bar and said supporting means in a predetermined relation with said insulating members while permitting pivotal movement of said supporting means on said bar.

5. An electric connecter com rising a pair of insulating members provided with matched recesses, contacts secured in said recesses, a cylindrical cross bar, insulated conductors connected to said contacts wrapped around said cross bar, su porting means for said conductors provide with a substantially semi-spherical portion fitting over the turns of said conductors wrapped around said bar, projections on said semispherical portion forming bearingrsurfaces fitting on said cross bar, and clamping plates for securing said supporting means and said cross bar in a predetermined relation with said insulating members while providing for limited pivotal movement" of said supporting means on said cross bar, said clamping plates being provided with portions fittin over .said semi-spherical portions and sai projections. 1

6. An electric connecter comprising a pair of insulating members provided with co operating recesses, contacts secured in said recesses, a cylindrical cross bar provided with a knob at each end forming finger holds, insulated conductors connected to said contacts and wrapped around said cross bar, a coiled spring su port for said conductors, a supporting mem r for said spring providedwith a substantially semi-spherical portion, projections on said supporting member rotatably cooperating 'with said cross bar, plates provided with substantially semispherical portions and projections cooperating respectively with the semi-spherical portion and projections of said supporting members so as to secure said supporting member in a predetermined relation with said insulating members while limited angular movement 0 said supporting member, and bolts securing said plates and insulating members together.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 21st day of March, 1924.

ALBERT H. SIMIMON S.

fproviding for 

